Worcester Will Add Lifeguards At Bell Pond Beach

WORCESTER, MA — A popular beach in the heart of Worcester's east side will get lifeguards this summer after initially opening without safety staff.

The beach at Bell Pond officially opened on June 30 with officials saying there would be no lifeguards this summer due to a worker shortage. In an update Tuesday, city officials said Bell Pond will have lifeguards Thursdays through Sundays until Aug. 20, which is the last day the beach will officially be open. Lifeguards will be on duty noon to 7 p.m. on staffed days.

Even with the addition of guards at Bell Pond, Worcester's swimming areas are operating at diminished capacity this summer. Coes Pond Beach along Mill Street does not have lifeguards, and the beach at Indian Lake Park is officially closed for the second summer in a row. The beach at Shore Park is open with lifeguards provided by the adjacent Greendale YMCA.

The pool at Crompton Park opened on July 4 with limited capacity and lifeguards. The pool is open daily noon to 7 p.m. until Labor Day.

Apart from the city-run facilities, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation operates the Bennett Field Pool near Webster Square along Main Street and the Dennis F. Shine Memorial Pool at Vernon Hill Park. Those pools opened in late June. DCR previously opened its two Lake Quinsigamond swimming areas — Regatta Point and Lake Park — on May 27. Both of those swimming areas will have lifeguard coverage through the summer, although Regatta Point coverage will end after Labor Day and Lake Park's will end Aug. 20.